Pipeline bills progress in the Virginia General Assembly

Two measures designed to improve state oversight of natural gas pipelines have now passed the Virginia Senate and are headed for floor consideration in the House of Delegates.

SB1265, sponsored by Sen. Deeds, authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to conduct inspections of land-disturbing activities related to construction of any natural gas transmission pipeline equal to or greater than 24 inches inside diameter. Current law authorizes such inspections for only pipelines greater than 36 inches. The bill passed the Senate 38-0 on February 5 and was approved by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by a 14-7 vote on February 17.

SB1311, sponsored by Sen. McClellan, would require an applicant for a natural gas transmission pipeline greater than 36 inches inside diameter to submit a detailewd erosion and sediment control plan and a stormwater management plan to the Virginia DEQ for approval. The bill was approved by the Senate on February 5 by a 20-17 vote. A substitute bill was approved February 17 by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on a 13—9 vote.

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.